Springbank Collective Series 30 Year Old, Bourbon Cask, Cask #164, 1993, Caskshare, 49.4%

teacup owl9 Oct

The appeal is in the contrast: bright, tangy orchard fruit and lime give way to a much quirkier finish of rhubarb and custard, rubber plimsolls, and lingering sweetness. That shift makes the character more individual than a straightforward fruit-and-vanilla whisky. I like how the notes keep the fruit lively with ginger spice, while the finish sounds deliberately distinctive rather than simply sweet.

paperboat_atlas23 Aug

The fresh apple and juicy pear on the nose lead into a tangier palate of sherbety orchard fruits and lime zest. Vanilla and ginger spice add contrast without drawing attention away from the fruit. That progression interests me, although the notes give less reason to dwell on the malt character I usually look for in a single malt. The finish is where my reaction becomes more cautious. Rhubarb & custard and back-shop sweetness sound inviting, while rubber plimsolls make the lingering combination less straightforward. I can see the appeal of that contrast, but it is also the detail most likely to divide opinion. Overall, the shift from fresh fruit to a more unusual finish gives this whisky character without making it an uncomplicated fit for my tastes.